LIPITOR AND YOU HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR UNDERSTANDING CHOLESTEROL AND RISKS

Transcription

1 LIPITOR AND YOU HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR UNDERSTANDING CHOLESTEROL AND RISKS Learn what your cholesterol levels actually mean, and how you may save money on your prescription each month with the LIPITOR Savings Program. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets are not for everyone, including anyone who has previously had an allergic reaction to LIPITOR. It is not for those with liver problems. And it is not for women who are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant. Please see additional Important Safety Information continued on the following pages, and the full Prescribing and Patient Information for LIPITOR attached.

2 Understanding Cholesterol Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance produced by your body and found in your bloodstream. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs, but it can also be found in the foods you eat. Foods high in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol may raise your blood cholesterol level. Having too much cholesterol in your blood may lead to an increased risk for heart disease and stroke in certain people. There are 2 main types of cholesterol: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C): known as the good cholesterol, HDL-C carries cholesterol from other parts of the body to the liver for removal. Unlike other cholesterol levels, the higher your HDL cholesterol, the better. Tracking Your Levels It s important to keep track of your HDL-C and LDL-C levels, as well as your total cholesterol (total amount carried in the blood) and triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood) levels. A lipoprotein profile test will be performed to find out your blood cholesterol numbers, and the American Heart Association recommends that adults aged 20 years or older get tested every 4 to 6 years for cholesterol and other traditional risk factors. It may be a good idea to work with your doctor to determine your risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke. If the test is ordered for you, you can consider writing down and tracking your levels with your doctor in the log below. Date Total cholesterol LDL-C HDL-C Triglycerides Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): known as the bad cholesterol, LDL-C in high levels can deposit in the walls of the arteries, which are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to your body. INDICATION LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) is a prescription medicine that lowers cholesterol in the blood. It lowers the LDL-C ( bad cholesterol) and triglycerides in your blood. It can raise your HDL-C ( good cholesterol) as well. LIPITOR is for adults and children over 10 whose cholesterol does not come down enough with exercise and a low-fat diet alone. LIPITOR can lower the risk for heart attack, stroke, certain types of heart surgery, and chest pain in patients who have heart disease or risk factors for heart disease such as age, smoking, high blood pressure, low HDL-C, or heart disease in the family. LIPITOR can lower the risk for heart attack or stroke in patients with diabetes and risk factors such as eye problems, kidney problems, smoking, or high blood pressure. If you take LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets, tell your doctor if you feel any new muscle pain or weakness. This could be a sign of rare but serious muscle side effects. Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all medications you take. This may help avoid serious drug interactions. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver function before starting LIPITOR and during your treatment if you have symptoms of liver problems. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Elevated blood sugar levels have been reported with statins, including LIPITOR. Please see additional Important Safety Information continued on the following pages, and the full Prescribing and Patient Information for LIPITOR attached. 2

3 Understanding Your Numbers* Knowing what your cholesterol levels mean may help play a role in keeping your heart healthy. Your test results will show your cholesterol levels in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dl). Your doctor will assess these numbers along with other risk factors such as age, family history, smoking, and high blood pressure, as well as your clinical history. LDL-C levels <100 mg/dl Optimal 100 to 129 mg/dl Near or above optimal Total cholesterol levels 130 to 159 mg/dl Borderline high <200 mg/dl Desirable 160 to 189 mg/dl High 200 to 239 mg/dl Borderline high 190 mg/dl Very high 240 mg/dl High HDL-C levels <40 mg/dl Low 60 mg/dl High Triglycerides levels <150 mg/dl Normal 150 to 199 mg/dl Borderline high 200 to 499 mg/dl High Common side effects are diarrhea, upset stomach, muscle and joint pain, and changes in some blood tests. Please see additional Important Safety Information continued on the following pages, and the full Prescribing and Patient Information for LIPITOR attached. 500 mg/dl Very high *Lipoprotein levels determined after a 9- to 12-hour fast. Levels according to the National Cholesterol Education Program: ATP III Guidelines At-A-Glance Quick Desk Reference. 3

4 How Does LIPITOR Work? Lowers LDL-C and can raise HDL-C LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) blocks the enzyme that produces LDL-C so that less is made. As a result, the liver picks up more cholesterol from the bloodstream, and lower levels of cholesterol end up in the blood. LIPITOR lowers the LDL-C and triglycerides levels in your blood. How Does LIPITOR Affect Cholesterol Levels for Those Diagnosed With High Cholesterol? Along with a low-fat diet, LIPITOR has been shown to lower: 29% 45% to Total cholesterol* LIPITOR can raise your HDL-C. 39% to 60% 19% to 37% LDL-C* Triglycerides* LIPITOR may start working within 2 weeks. *Average effect depending on dose. LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets are not for everyone, including anyone who has previously had an allergic reaction to LIPITOR. It is not for those with liver problems. And it is not for women who are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant. Please see additional Important Safety Information continued on the following pages, and the full Prescribing and Patient Information for LIPITOR attached. LIPITOR can also help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke In people who have heart disease or several risk factors for heart disease, LIPITOR, along with a low-fat diet, is clinically proven to reduce the risk of: Heart attack Stroke Certain kinds of heart surgeries Chest pain 4

5 If Eligible, Start Saving on LIPITOR Today With the LIPITOR Savings Card, you may pay as little as $4 a month, depending on insurance* Patients may pay $30 if they have other commercial/private insurance, Medicare Part D, or no insurance. Ask your doctor or visit for more information about this savings offer. *Terms and Conditions apply. You may pay less by receiving the generic. Patients with Medicare Part D must agree not to use any prescription benefits to purchase LIPITOR. If you take LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets, tell your doctor if you feel any new muscle pain or weakness. This could be a sign of rare but serious muscle side effects. Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all medications you take. This may help avoid serious drug interactions. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver function before starting LIPITOR and during your treatment if you have symptoms of liver problems. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Elevated blood sugar levels have been reported with statins, including LIPITOR. Please see full Important Safety Information on the next page, and the full Prescribing and Patient Information for LIPITOR attached. *LIPITOR SAVINGS CARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS By using the LIPITOR Savings Card (the Card ), you attest that you meet the eligibility criteria and will comply with the Terms and Conditions described below: You will pay $4 for a 30-day supply (30 tablets) if: you use commercial/private insurance and your out-of-pocket expense for a 30-day supply of brand-name LIPITOR is $130 or less. You will pay $30 for a 30-day supply (30 tablets) if: you do not use prescription health coverage to purchase your brand-name LIPITOR under this program or you use commercial/private insurance and your out-of-pocket expense for a 30-day supply of brandname LIPITOR is $130 or more. In addition: a) Medicare Part D patients may participate in this Card Program, but cannot use any part of their Medicare Part D prescription benefit for LIPITOR during the term of this offer. b) Out-of-pocket expenditures under this Card Program cannot be applied towards a patient s Medicare Part D true out of pocket (TrOOP) expenses. c) Patients participating in this category cannot seek reimbursement for a purchase of LIPITOR from any third party insurance entity during the term of this offer. This offer is not valid for prescriptions that are eligible to be reimbursed, in whole or in part, by Medicaid or other federal or state healthcare programs (including any state prescription drug assistance programs and the Government Health Insurance Plan available in Puerto Rico [formerly known as La Reforma de Salud ]). For all eligible patients, you can only qualify for up to $2500 of savings per calendar year. After a maximum of $2500, you will pay usual monthly out-of-pocket costs. This Card cannot be combined with any other rebate/coupon, free trial, discount, prescription savings card, or similar offer for the specified prescription. The Card will be accepted only at participating pharmacies. This Card is not health insurance. Offer valid only in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, but not for Massachusetts residents or where otherwise prohibited by law. The Card is limited to 1 use per person per month during this offering period and is not transferable. It is illegal to sell, purchase, trade, or counterfeit, or offer to sell, purchase, trade, or counterfeit this Card. Pfizer reserves the right to rescind, revoke or amend the Card Program without notice at any time. You must be 18 or older to participate in this Program. Card Program expires December 31, No membership fees. For reimbursement when using mail order, mail copy of original pharmacy receipt (cash register receipt NOT valid) with product name, date and amount circled to: LIPITOR Savings Card 2250 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite 300 Morrisville, NC Be sure to include a copy of the front of your Savings Card, your name and mailing address. 5

6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets are not for everyone, including anyone who has previously had an allergic reaction to LIPITOR. It is not for those with liver problems. And it is not for women who are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant. If you take LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets, tell your doctor if you feel any new muscle pain or weakness. This could be a sign of rare but serious muscle side effects. Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all medications you take. This may help avoid serious drug interactions. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver function before starting LIPITOR and during your treatment if you have symptoms of liver problems. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Elevated blood sugar levels have been reported with statins, including LIPITOR. Common side effects are diarrhea, upset stomach, muscle and joint pain, and changes in some blood tests. INDICATION LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) is a prescription medicine that lowers cholesterol in the blood. It lowers the LDL-C ( bad cholesterol) and triglycerides in your blood. It can raise your HDL-C ( good cholesterol) as well. LIPITOR is for adults and children over 10 whose cholesterol does not come down enough with exercise and a low-fat diet alone. LIPITOR can lower the risk for heart attack, stroke, certain types of heart surgery, and chest pain in patients who have heart disease or risk factors for heart disease such as age, smoking, high blood pressure, low HDL-C, or heart disease in the family. LIPITOR can lower the risk for heart attack or stroke in patients with diabetes and risk factors such as eye problems, kidney problems, smoking, or high blood pressure. Please see the attached full Prescribing and Patient Information for LIPITOR. 6

7 Questions to Ask Your Doctor You might have questions about your cholesterol levels and treatment with LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium). It may be helpful to review the questions below before speaking with your doctor to help frame your discussions during your next appointment. What are my goals given my medical history? How long does it take for LIPITOR to work? How long should I take my medicine for? What other factors (such as diet and exercise) affect my cholesterol levels? What should I avoid while taking LIPITOR; specifically, what foods should I stay away from? In order to get the brand Be sure to ask your doctor to specify LIPITOR on your prescription with a note such as No Substitutions, Brand Medically Necessary, or Dispense As Written (DAW) to help ensure you receive brand-name LIPITOR. Common side effects are diarrhea, upset stomach, muscle and joint pain, and changes in some blood tests. Please see additional Important Safety Information continued on the previous pages, and the full Prescribing and Patient Information for LIPITOR attached. PP-LIP-USA Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. December 2016